Adaptable mounting system for flat panel display

ABSTRACT

An adaptable mounting system for a flat panel display. The mounting system includes a clamp adaptable so as to clamp to the elongate members of a framework, where the members may have any of a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes, sizes, and spacings.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/462,158, filed Apr. 11, 2003, the same being herebyfully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to mounting flat panel displays to fixedstructures, and particularly to adaptable mounting systems for mountinga flat panel display to fixed structures having a variety of possibleconfigurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Electronic displays, such as flat panel monitors and televisions,are often used at public gatherings, such as trade-shows and the like,to display information to groups of people. Often in such settings, aportable structure will be used to form a booth or kiosk to contain anexhibit for displaying information in an organized fashion. Displaysystems including such portable structures generally include an openframework of elongate members that may be covered with fabric, graphicdisplays or other materials. These display systems are available from amultiplicity of different manufacturers and come in a myriad of shapes,sizes and configurations.

[0004] Flat panel displays are fragile and it is accordingly desirableto protect them from contact by people and foreign objects when they areused in a public setting. Also, such displays are expensive, andaccordingly present an attractive target for theft unless they aresecured to a structure. Additionally, it may be desirable to elevate aflat panel display when used in a public setting so as to providemaximum visibility.

[0005] For all of these reasons, it may be desirable to attach a flatpanel display to a portable structure such as may be used for a booth orkiosk. Due to the extremely wide variety and number of commerciallyavailable display framework structures, however, a multiplicity ofdifferent mounting devices have been employed in the past to mount aflat panel display device to such structures. Essentially, a uniquemounting bracket has been needed for each structure, which may havemembers with varying cross-sectional shapes, sizes, and spacings. Thishas led to a lack of flexibility and increased expense.

[0006] What is needed in the industry is an adaptable mounting systemfor mounting a flat panel display to elongate members of a framework,where the system is usable with a wide variety of structureconfigurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is an adaptable mounting system for a flatpanel display that substantially meets the needs of the industry. Themounting system includes a clamp that is adaptable so as to clamp to theelongate members of a framework, where the members may have any of awide variety of cross-sectional shapes, sizes, and spacings.

[0008] An adaptable mounting system for attaching a flat panel displaydevice to an elongate member of a framework includes a display interfaceoperably coupleable to the flat panel display device. The displayinterface has a portion adapted to engage an elongate member. A drawclamp portion opposes the display interface, and is arranged so that theelongate member is positionable between the draw clamp portion and thedisplay interface. The draw clamp portion has at least one memberengaging portion for engaging the elongate member. The member engagingportion has a pair of flat regions with an arcuate shaped region betweenthe flat regions. A pair of selectively adjustable biasing elements,which may be threaded fasteners, are positioned so as to apply a biasingforce drawing the draw clamp portion toward the display interface,thereby clamping the display interface and the draw clamp portion to theelongate member.

[0009] In another embodiment, an adaptable mounting system for attachinga flat panel display to an elongate member of a framework includes adisplay interface operably coupleable to the flat panel display device,and a generally u-shaped draw clamp. The display interface has at leastone arcuate shaped region adapted to engage the elongate member. Thedraw clamp has a pair of spaced apart side portions and is arranged sothat the elongate member is positionable between the spaced apart sideportions when the elongate member is engaged with the arcuate shapedregion. At least one threaded fastener is arranged so as to draw thedraw clamp portion toward the display interface when the fastener istightened, thereby clamping the display interface and the draw clampportion to the elongate member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adaptable mounting systemaccording to the present invention in use to mount a flat panel displayto a framework;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a draw clamp according to thepresent invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of an adaptable mountingsystem attached to a framework;

[0013]FIG. 3A is fragmentary perspective view of an adaptable mountingsystem attached to a framework of members, each having a squarecross-section;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the adaptable mountingsystem attached to an elongate member;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of anadaptable mounting system attached to an elongate member;

[0016]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the adaptable mounting systemembodiment of FIG. 5;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the adaptable mountingsystem embodiment of FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the adaptable mounting systemembodiment of FIG. 5;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5depicting the system engaged with elongate members of a variety of sizesdepicted in phantom lines; and

[0020]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofan adaptable mounting system, with phantom lines depicting elongatemembers of a variety of sizes and the corresponding configuration of themounting system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An adaptable mounting system 20 for mounting a flat panel display22 to a framework 24, which includes one or more elongate members 26, isdepicted in FIGS. 1-4. Adaptable mounting system 20 generally includes adisplay interface 28 and a draw clamp 30.

[0022] Display interface 28 generally includes body portion 32, channels34, and display mounting bracket 36. Display mounting bracket 36 may bepivotally attached to body portion 32 at pivots 38 to provide a tiltadjustment for flat panel display 22. Edges 39 of channels 34 confrontand engage the elongate members 26. Channels 34 are attached to bodyportion 32 as will be further explained herein below.

[0023] Draw clamp 30 includes a web portion 40 and a pair of generallyparallel side portions 42. A cutout region 44 exposes a member engagingregion 46 on each side portion 42 as depicted best in FIG. 2. Eachmember engaging region 46 has a pair of flat regions 48 arranged on eachside of an arcuate shaped region 50. Bores 52 are formed in web portion40 on either side of cutout region 44, and extend through bosses 54 onthe underside 56 or web portions 40. Bores 52 may have threads 58 forreceiving a threaded fastener 60.

[0024] Adaptable mounting system 20 may be attached to one or moreelongate members 26 of a framework 24 as depicted in FIG. 3. Threadedfasteners 60 extend through slots 62 in body portion 32, slots 64 inchannels 34, and thread into bores 52 in draw clamp 30. Edges 39 ofchannel 34 confronts each elongate member 26 on one side of the member,while member engaging region 46 of draw clamp 30 confronts the elongatemember 26 on the opposite side of the member. As threaded fasteners 60are tightened, channels 34 and draw clamp 30 are biased together andtoward the elongate member 26. Thus, elongate members 26 are clampedbetween channels 34 and each draw clamp 30, thereby securing adaptablemounting system 20 to framework 24.

[0025] As depicted in FIG. 4, draw clamp 30 is adaptable to elongatemembers 26 having a variety of cross-sectional shapes. Generallycylindrical members 66 are engagable with arcuate shaped region 50,while square or rectangular members 68 are engagable with flat regions48. Adaptable mounting system 20 is depicted in FIG. 3A attached tosquare members 68. Of course, it will be appreciated that an elongatemember of any other polygonal shape is engagable as well so long as themember will fit between channels 34 and draw clamp 30 and betweenthreaded fasteners 60. Accordingly, it will also be appreciated that thepresent invention is adaptable for use with elongate members 26 having awide range of diameters and cross-sectional dimensions.

[0026] In addition, fasteners 60 are laterally positionable in slots 62of body portion 32 and slots 64 in channels 34, enabling adaptablemounting system 20 to accommodate a range of spacing dimensions,annotated “W” in FIG. 1, between elongate members 26. Furtheradaptability may be added with slots 70 in body portion 32. By turningbody portion 32 by 90 degrees and fastening body portion 32 to channels34 through slots 70 rather than slots 62, a 90 degree change inorientation of flat panel display 22 may be made, for the purpose ofmounting to a horizontal framework member or for an alternative flatpanel display screen orientation when mounted on a vertical member.

[0027] It will, of course, also be readily appreciated that a variety ofother arrangements and mechanisms may be used in place of threadedfasteners 60 to bias draw clamp 30 and channels 34 towards each otherand into the elongate member 34. For example, one or more “c” clamparrangements may be disposed so as to engage draw clamp 30 and channel34 and be arranged so as to exert the desired biasing force to clamp theelongate member 26 between draw clamp 30 and channel 34. In short, anysuitable method for exerting the required biasing force may be used andis included in the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Another embodiment of an adaptable mounting system 72 forattaching a flat panel display to a single elongate member 26 isdepicted in FIGS. 5-10. Mounting system 72 generally includes displayinterface 74 and draw clamp 76.

[0029] Display interface 74 generally includes a member engaging portion78 and a display engaging portion 80. Member engaging portion 78 has aback 82, a pair of sides 84 and a pair of ends 86. Each end 86 has anarcuate shaped cutout region 88 with an edge 90 for engaging an elongatemember 26. Sides 84 have threaded apertures 92 for receiving threadedfasteners 94, 95. Back 82 has apertures 96 for receiving threadedfasteners 98.

[0030] Display engaging portion 80 has a planar portion 100 and a pairof flanges 102 spaced apart so as to accept member engaging portion 78therebetween. Each flange 102 has an aperture 104 and a curved slot 106.Threaded fastener 95 extends through aperture 104 and threaded into onethreaded aperture 92 in member engaging portion 78, while threadedfastener 94 extends through curved slot 106 and threads into the otherthreaded aperture 92. Display engaging portion 80 is thus pivotableabout threaded fastener 95 with respect to member engaging portion 78.

[0031] Planar portion 100 has notches 108 for engaging fastening buttons110 attached to a flat panel display device 22. Latching flag 112 may beprovided on planar portion 100 to secure the connection. Further detailsconcerning the connection and fastening buttons 110 are contained inco-pending U.S. utility application Ser. No. ______, entitled “FLATPANEL DISPLAY MOUNTING SYSTEM” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/462,411 having the same title,said applications commonly owned by the owners of the present inventionand each of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Draw clamp 76 has a generally u-shaped body portion 113 with apair of sides 114. The ends 116 of each side 114 are turned inwardly.End bar 118 spans ends 116, and has tabs 120, which fit into apertures122 in side 114, thereby securing end bar 118 in place. End bar 118further has threaded apertures 124 aligned with apertures 126 in bodyportion 113. Threaded fasteners 98 with washers 128 extend throughapertures 96 and apertures 126, and thread into apertures 124. Bottomedges 130 of sides 114 ride on inner surface 132 of one end 86 of memberengaging portion 78, while the top edges 134 confront inner surface 136of the other end 86. Draw clamp 76 is thus slidably movable between ends86 by threading and unthreading fasteners 98.

[0033] In operation, an elongate member 26 may be positioned betweendraw clamp 76 and member engaging portion 78. Threaded fasteners 98 arethen tightened, moving draw clamp 76 inwardly toward member engagingportion 78. Fasteners 98 may be tightened until the elongate member 26is securely held between the inner surface 138 of draw clamp 76 andedges 90 of member engaging portion 78.

[0034] As depicted in FIG. 9, mounting system 72 is adjustable forelongate members of various sizes within the range of travel of memberengaging portion 78 on threaded fasteners 98. In addition, although onlyround elongate members are depicted, that mounting system 72 is usablewith members having an oval, rounded or polygonal cross section.

[0035] In the alternative embodiment of mounting system 72 depicted inFIG. 10, a one-piece draw clamp 140 replaces draw clamp 76. In thisembodiment, a single fastener 142 may be used to tighten and loosen theclamp.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adaptable mounting system for attaching a flatpanel display device to an elongate member of a framework, the systemcomprising: a display interface operably coupleable to the flat paneldisplay device, said display interface having at least a first portionadapted to engage the elongate member; at least one draw clamp portionopposing said first portion and arranged so that the elongate member ispositionable between said draw clamp portion and said first portion,said draw clamp portion having at least one member engaging portion forengaging said elongate member, said member engaging portion having apair of flat regions with an arcuate shaped region therebetween; and apair of selectively adjustable biasing elements engagable with saiddisplay interface portion and said draw clamp portion, said elementspositioned and adapted to apply a biasing force for clamping said firstportion and said draw clamp portion to the elongate member.
 2. Themounting system of claim 1, wherein said display interface has a pair ofspaced apart apertures, wherein said draw clamp portion has a pair ofthreaded apertures defined therein corresponding to said apertures insaid display interface, and wherein said pair of biasing elementscomprises a pair of threaded fasteners, each fastener extending througha separate one of said apertures in said display interface andthreadedly engaging one of said threaded apertures.
 3. The mountingsystem of claim 1, wherein said first portion comprises a channel havinga pair of spaced apart edges positioned to engage the elongate member.4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said draw clamp portionincludes a pair of spaced apart member engaging regions, each having apair of flat regions and an arcuate shaped region positionedtherebetween.
 5. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the systemincludes a plurality of draw clamp portions for clamping to a pluralityof elongate members.
 6. An adaptable mounting system for attaching aflat panel display device to an elongate member of a framework, theelongate member having one of a plurality of known cross-sectionalshapes, the system comprising: a display interface operably coupleableto the flat panel display device, said display interface having at leasta first portion adapted to engage the elongate member; a draw clampportion opposing said first portion and arranged so that the elongatemember is positionable between said draw clamp portion and said firstportion, said draw clamp portion including means for engaging anelongate member having one of said plurality of known cross-sectionalshapes and further including separate means for engaging an elongatemember having a separate one of said plurality of known cross-sectionalshapes; and means for applying a biasing force for clamping said displayinterface and said draw clamp portion to said elongate member.
 7. Themounting system of claim 6, wherein said display interface has a pair ofspaced apart apertures, wherein said draw clamp portion has a pair ofthreaded apertures defined therein corresponding to said apertures insaid display interface, and wherein said means for applying biasingforce comprises a pair of threaded fasteners, each fastener extendingthrough a separate one of said apertures in said display interface andthreadedly engaging one of said threaded apertures.
 8. The mountingsystem of claim 6, wherein said first portion comprises a channel havinga pair of spaced apart edges positioned to engage the elongate member.9. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein said means for engaging anelongate member and said separate means for engaging an elongate membercomprise at least one member engaging portion for engaging said elongatemember, said member engaging portion having a pair of flat regions withan arcuate shaped region therebetween.
 10. The mounting system of claim9, further comprising a second member engaging portion.
 11. The mountingsystem of claim 6, wherein the system includes a plurality of draw clampportions for clamping to a plurality of elongate members.
 12. Anadaptable mounting system for attaching a flat panel display to anelongate member of a framework, the system comprising: a displayinterface operably coupleable to the flat panel display device, saiddisplay interface having at least one arcuate shaped region adapted toengage the elongate member; a generally u-shaped draw clamp portionopposing said arcuate shaped region, said draw clamp having a pair ofspaced apart generally planar generally parallel side portions and beingarranged so that the elongate member is positionable between said spacedapart side portions when the elongate member is engaged with saidarcuate shaped region; and at least one threaded fastener, said fastenerengaged with said display interface and said draw clamp portion andarranged so as to draw said draw clamp portion toward said displayinterface when said fastener is tightened, thereby clamping said displayinterface and said draw clamp portion to the elongate member.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein said display interface comprises a memberengaging portion and a display engaging portion, said at least onearcuate shaped region being formed in said member engaging portion, saiddisplay engaging portion being selectively adjustably pivotallyadjustable relative to said member engaging portion.
 14. An adaptableflat panel display system attachable to a framework having at least oneelongate member, the system comprising: a flat panel display; a displayinterface operably coupled to the flat panel display, said displayinterface having at least a first portion adapted to engage the elongatemember; at least one draw clamp portion opposing said first portion andarranged so that the elongate member is positionable between said drawclamp portion and said first portion, said draw clamp portion having atleast one member engaging portion for engaging said elongate member,said member engaging portion having a pair of flat regions with anarcuate shaped region therebetween; and a pair of selectively adjustablebiasing elements engagable with said display interface portion and saiddraw clamp portion, said elements positioned and adapted to apply abiasing force for clamping said first portion and said draw clampportion to the elongate member.
 15. The mounting system of claim 14,wherein said first portion comprises a channel having a pair of spacedapart edges positioned to engage the elongate member.
 16. The mountingsystem of claim 14, wherein said draw clamp portion includes a pair ofspaced apart member engaging regions, each having a pair of flat regionsand an arcuate shaped region positioned therebetween.
 17. The mountingsystem of claim 14, wherein the system includes a plurality of drawclamp portions for clamping to a plurality of elongate members.
 18. Anadaptable flat panel display system attachable to a framework having atleast one elongate member, the system comprising: a flat panel display;a display interface operably coupled to the flat panel display, saiddisplay interface having at least one arcuate shaped region adapted toengage the elongate member; a generally u-shaped draw clamp portionopposing said arcuate shaped region, said draw clamp having a pair ofspaced apart generally planar generally parallel side portions and beingarranged so that the elongate member is positionable between said spacedapart side portions when the elongate member is engaged with saidarcuate shaped region; and at least one threaded fastener, said fastenerengaged with said display interface and said draw clamp portion andarranged so as to draw said draw clamp portion toward said displayinterface when said fastener is tightened, thereby clamping said displayinterface and said draw clamp portion to the elongate member.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein said display interface comprises a memberengaging portion and a display engaging portion, said at least onearcuate shaped region being formed in said member engaging portion, saiddisplay engaging portion being selectively adjustably pivotallyadjustable relative to said member engaging portion.